Writing Public Policy: A Practical Guide to Communicating in the Policy Making Process

In Writing Public Policy: A Practical Guide to Communicating in the Policy Making Process, Fifth Edition, Catherine F. Smith presents a general method for planning, producing, accessing, and critically analyzing communications in a variety of real-life public policy contexts and situations. This practical, concise guide is ideal for students preparing for careers in politics, government, public relations, law, public policy, journalism, social work, or in any role related to public affairs.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction: How to Use This Book List of Writing Samples Chapter 1 Public Policy is Language Overview Illustration 1: Milk Labeling Illustration 2: Budgeting Takeaway and Look Ahead References Chapter 2 Communicating in Policy Making Overview The Policy Communication Culture Communication Functions Understanding Readers' Information Needs, Attention Habits, and Situations A General Method of Communicating in a Policy Process Two Checklists Takeaway and Look Ahead Exercises References Chapter 3 Definition: Frame the Problem Overview How to Get a Problem on the Policy Agenda Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead Exercise References Chapter 4 Evaluation: Analyze and Advise Overview Illustration: "Agroterrorism, the Threat to America's Breadbasket" How to Critically Evaluate Policy and Analyze Policy Discourse Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead Exercise References Chapter 5 Legislative History: Know the Record Overview How to Conduct Government Records Research and Write a Legislative History Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead Discussion Topics Exercise References Chapter 6 Position Paper: Know the Arguments Overview How to Argue Policy Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead Exercises References Chapter 7 Petition, Proposal, Letter: Request Action Overview How to Request Action on Behalf of a Group Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead Exercises References Chapter 8 Brief, Opinion, Resolution: Inform Policy Makers Overview How to Inform Policy Makers Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead Discussion Topic Exercise Chapter 9 Testimony: Witness in a Public Hearing Overview How to Deliver Oral Testimony Based on a Written Statement Develop a Testimony in Context Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead Discussion Topic Exercise Chapter 10 Public Comment: Influence Administration Overview How to Write a Public Comment Examples Takeaway and Look Ahead References Conclusion Practical Ethics for Policy Communicators Overview Ethical Principles Practices Correlated with Principles Going Forward References Appendix: Writing Clearly Suggested Reading Index

About the Author :
Catherine F. Smith is Professor Emerita of English at East Carolina University and Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Review :
"Writing Public Policy, Fifth Edition, is a valuable textbook for any course on public policy. It is a concise yet comprehensive guide to effective public policy writing." --Andrea Hetling, Rutgers University "There isn't much out there like Writing Public Policy, Fifth Edition. There are lots of policy analysis books, but this is its own niche." --Michael Jones, Oregon State University "Writing Public Policy, Fifth Edition, covers a lot of useful tools and concepts. My students and I really enjoy the examples. The book takes them step by step through the process of communicating effective policy changes." --Michael Hayes, Rutgers University